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Monday, January 18, 2010

Organizing Tips: Girl's Room

So, it would appear that my poor, sweet Pokey didn't inherit the neat gene and it is evident in her room. Do you have one of those kids? Every so often I have to go in and work my magic to make it more inhabitable. I think it's a talent all in itself that she can exist among such utter choas, but maybe that's just me. I know that it has been especially challenging for her since we moved most of her toys up there. When our basement flooded last year we lost our play room and we had to redistribute the toys. We donated many, but the ones the children wanted to keep had to find new homes. Pokey's bedroom is not that large and consequently we have to be extra diligent with the organization. Personally I don't think children should have toys in their bedrooms. It makes it a more difficult task of keeping it clean, but sometimes we are limited by space and have to improvise. Due to our current circumstances this is what we have found that helps Pokey... not a perfect room, but one that she can manage.

Tip 1: Delve in. It is a good idea to try to do a good deep clean at least quarterly. Don't be afraid to really get in there and pull everything out. You could be surprised what you find.

Tip 2: Purge. Whenever you clean it is always important to reevaluate whether or not items are necessary. It is also a good idea to get rid of broken or unused toys following holidays or birthdays to make room for the new. Make sure to have desigated bins: donate, sell, and trash. It makes the process go quicker.

Tip 3: Clearly define spaces. I remember once hearing that just like we have addresses for our homes, every item in your home needs to have it's very own address; a place that is designated just for it. Make a special home for school papers, jewelry, books, stuffed animals, different pieces of clothing, shoes, laundry, treasures, DS games, toys, cds, craft supplies, backpacks, etc.

Tip 4: Include your child in the process. It will give them more ownership of their space, teach them how to part with items, and hopefully help them to keep a tidier room.

8 comments:

You are an answer to my prayers right now. M.'s room is bugging me to craziness. Seriously border line white jacket craziness. Where'd you get C's white cubed shelf unit? I've looked at Target and thought the 9 shelf will be good...but I still have to find something for her books. Anyway...wish you were closer...it'd almost be worth it to pay someone to do it for me :)

I feel that if this doesn't get done with my help at least once every 4 months or so we are all frustrated with the lack or organization. And it's VERY important to make them part of the process, what do they learn if you don't? I hope that your winter gets sunnier!

I have to do this with my kids rooms and their toys. Because it really gets to me. However, I have a hard time going through my own room. It is my goal this week to organize the space. It has been and always is the last room to get orginized.

What do you do with all the school papers? I have a hard time with school papers.

If I showed you a picture of my daughters room you would probably faint. The expression 'Looks like a tornado came through here' was started because of my daughters room. :-) She is an artist... this is what I keep telling myself anyway. Her "art" takes up her room, floor, and walls. She is only 6! I feel like I remind her each day to put her stuff away but it still covers her floor. I think what she needs is more organization solutions so it is easy for her to put her art away when she is done. Thanks for sharing your daughters space.